Oyster opener



De c. 24, 17929. DELONDE 1,741,015

OYSTER OPENER Filed Feb. 7, 1929 Inventor Em 26 .Delonde Attorney Patented Dec. 24, 1929 FATENT' QFFIQE EMILE DELONDE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

OYSTER OPENER This invention relates to oyster opening implements and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an oyster opener with a universal joint so as to facilitate the easy manipulation thereof for the purpose of opening oysters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support and back for the oyster opener in spaced operable position from the implement to increase the production of oysters removed from their shell.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an oyster opener of the character referred to which is very simple in its assembly and operation, strong, compact and durable highly eflicient for the purposes intended, thoroughly reliable in its operation, easily manipulated, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and install.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel con struction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a detail central vertical section of the device,

Figure 3 is a detail vertical sectional view through the swivel joint and Figure A is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating the alternating anchoring means for the stool.

eferring to the drawings in detail for the purpose of illustrating an embodiment of the invention A indicates a substantially square base having the oyster opening implement H coupled to one corner thereof by the universal joint S.

Mounted to one side of the median of the base is a stool W detachably anchored in the base A and a back rest It to the rear of the stool but spaced therefrom.

The base A consists of a substantially square plate 5 standing in spaced relation to a table, floor or other supporting surface indicated at 6 on the depending flanges 7 extending about the perimeter of the plate. A plurality of openings 8 extend through the flanges 7 so as to provide outlets from the oyster juice accumulating interiorly of the plate.

Adjacent one corner of the base A is an upstanding annular shoulder 9 having an an nular ball race 10 in its upper face in which are seated a plurality of ball bearings 11 which abut against on their upper faces the washer 12 which is in abutting relation to the valve shaped rotatable collar 13.

An opening 14 extends through the plate 5 and the annular ball race 9 vertically and a cylindrical pin 15 extends through said opening and is threadedly secured in the member 13 at its upper end. The pin ll projects below the lower surface of the plate 5 and is secured against upward movement by a cotter 16 extending diametrically through said pin adjacent the lower race of the plate The pin 15 is secured in the bell shaped swivel member 13 to rotate therewith and is therefore journaled in the plate 5.

Depending from the outer periphery at the lower end of the bell-shaped swivel member 13 is an annular flange 17 which overhangs the ball bearings and the race and also overhangs aportion of the upstanding member 9. At the upper end of the swivel member 13 are a pair of spaced lugs 18, 19 having arcuate upper edges.

An opening 20 spaced from the edges of the lugs extend through the pair of lugs 18, 19 in alinement to receive the opposite end and support 21 about which is journaled a sub stantially T-shaped hinge member indicated generally at 22.

Depending from the longitudinal median of the hinge member 22 is a lug 23 which is freely rockable in the channel 24 between the upstanding lugs 18, 19 of the swivel member. The lug is provided with a centrally disposed opening through which the pivot 21 extends for rotatably coupling the hinge member 22 to the swivel member 13.

At the lower end the hinge 22 is provided with substantially arcuate cavities in which are seated oppositely disposed arcuate cavities one of which are indicated at in Figure 2. The lugs 18, 19 ride in the cavities and the arcuate upper sides of the lugs lie in juxtaposed relation to the arcuate portion of the cavity.

Extending longitudinally through the upper wall of the T-shaped hinge member 22 is an opening 26 in which is rotatably mounted the opening implement H by means of a spindle portion 27 formed on one end of the implement H. The spindle 27 is secured from longitudinal movement by an annular shoulder formed on the implement H which abuts against the face of the hinge member adjacent the opening 26.

The opposite end of the spindle 27 is secured to the hinge by a cotter pin extending diametrically therethrough and abutting against the other face of the hinge member 22.

The oyster opening implement H is thereby rotatably j ournaled to the hinge member 22 and also secured against longitudinal movement therein.

The oyster opening tool H has a handle 30 on the free end thereof and consists of substantially elongated rods terminating at the other end in the shoulder 28, the spindle 26. Intermediate the handle and the spindle 1 body portion 31 is formed with right angularly extending, oppositely disposed members 32, 33 which project in the same plane.

The member 32 has sharp edges 31, 35 converging from the rod portion 31 to the outer end where is formed a rounded point 36. The member 32 performs the function of an oyster knife. The oppositely disposed member 33 is substantially oval shaped and of materially less thickness than the member 32 and is substantially of a spoon shaped configuration.

The member 33 serves to disever the oyster from the shell after it has opened by the knife member 32. Experienced oyster men are aware of the fact that the rough usage of the knife member 32 nicks the sharp knife edges and points and are liable to tear the oyster body in removing it from the shell. By providing two implements at the disposal of the operator turning the implement H is one of the advantages of this invention.

The knife member 32 and the spoon member 33 is rotatable about the universal joint S so that the radius of the swing of said member in a path spaced slightly outwardly of a tangent to the stool W to prevent the edges of said members being scarred.

The stool member l/V has an annular body portion 37 having the upper face thereof formed with a plurality of teeth 38 to provide a roughened area to prevent the oyster from sliding. A plurality of depending legs 39 are located about the periphery of the body portion. The plurality of legs are formed and of substantiallyarcuate configuration at the lower ends thereof.

At the upper ends of the legs 39 where they merge with the body portion 37 oppositely converging shoulders 40, ll. The side edges of the legs 39 from the bottom to the shoulders 40, ll are substantially straight. The plate 5 of the base A is provided with a series of slots spaced from each other in circumferential disposition. Alternate slots 42, 43 are of greater length than the intermediate slots 14: and all of said slots are arcuate shaped.

The legs 39 are so disposed to extend through and anchor in alternate slots as desired, thereby anchoring the stool in an easy detachable relation to the base A.

The back member R is of greater radius than the stool W and is secured to the base A extending therefrom in an arcuate plane perpendicular to the upper face of the base. The member R projects materially above the surface of the stool W in a plane substantially at right angles thereto, so as to provide an abutment at right angles to the face of the stool and substantially tangential edges thereof.

The back member R is formed integral with the base A and has an arcuate body portion 45 ext-ending from one edge of the base A in an arcuate direction materially beyond a transverse median parallel to the edge from ,which the body portion extends. The base of the body portion a5 adjacent the stool N is provided with a detachable member 16 arcuate in form but of less length than the body portion 45. The width of the member 46 extends from the surface of the stool W upwardly adjacent the upper edge of the body portion 45. The outer face of the member 16 is provided with teeth 47 so as to prevent a roughened surface to the edges of the oyster that abuts against this face.

The member 46 will be designed as an arcuate detachable abutment member and is detachably secured to the body portion 15 by means of hold fast devices which extend through the body portion and terminate adj acent the outer face of said abutment member. The abutment member 16 is thereby replaceable in case it be damaged or in need of repair.

The abutment member is disposed intermediate the ends of the arcuate body portion 15 and is disposed with respect to the stool W at right angles to planes drawn tangent to the diametric edges of the stool. V In the application of the device in accordance with this invention, an oyster confined in its shell is placed on the stool V having one edge thereof against the abutment member 46 and having the edges projecting slightly over the edges of the stool W.

By reason of the fact that the tool H has a universal coupling with the plate member A the blunt point 36 may be used to chop off a portion of the edge of the oyster swinging in a direction similar to that described in swinging an axe. After the edge has been chipped the point is inserted between the shells of the oyster and the sharp edges 35, 36 of the implement may be rotated to give a prying elfect between the shells thereby spreading the shells apart to such a distance as may permit the insertion of the finger of the operator to separate the shells.

Having removed the outer shell rod 31 is revolved and the spoon portion 33 is used to sever the oyster from the shell, from which the oyster may be placed in a can preparatory to shipment. A. better understanding of the invention will be had if the swivel member 13, the hinge member 22 rotatably coupled thereto and the implement H journaled in the hinge member 22 for rotation therein, will be considered as a universal oint with respect to the movement of the implement H.

That I claim as new is 1. In combination, a base having a substantially fiat body portion and provided with an annular series of arcuate slots extending therethrough, a stool detachably mounted in said slots, an arcuate abutment formed integral with said base and extending upwardly in a plane at right angles thereto adjacent an edge of said stool, the combined knife and spoon member universally coupled to said base and adapted for cooperation with an oyster supported on the stool and abutment member.

2. In combination, a substantially poly onal base having a flat body portion and provided with an annular series of arcuate slots, alternate slots being uniform and of greater length than the intermediate slots, an annular stool, legs depending from said stool and adapted for selectively seating in alternate or intermediate slots, an arcuate abutment formed integral with said base and extending upwardly in a plane at right angles to the base adjacent an arc of said stool, a

combined knife and spoon member universally coupled to said base for cooperation with an oyster supported on the stool and abutment member.

3. In combination, a substantially flat apertured base, a stool detachably mounted in the apertures of the base, an upstanding abutment secured to said base adjacent a portion of the edge of the stool, and a combined knife and spoon member universally coupled to the base and adapted for cooperation with an oyster supported on the stool and abutment member.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

EMILE DELONDE. 

